Kale pesto.

Yes boring old kale. 

I think there's a few people who are over it, who would rather eat an old boot.

When I planted kale, I did so with good intentions. Despite the plants growing magnificently and looking good, I have hardly used it. But in the last few weeks, that has changed and I have come to appreciate it a little more.

I don't have photographic evidence of the fantastic Colcannon mash potatoes I made using kale and cabbage from my veggie patch, but it was surprisingly good! 

I found a great recipe for soup on a packet of McKenzie's yellow split peas, which usually uses spinach. Don't have any of that, but what I did have in the old plot was silverbeet and you guessed it, Kale! It was delicious, and with this woeful autumn weather we're having, it went down a treat. For one. No one else in the house has the appreciation for soup like I do....so I eat it for days when I do make it. Plus I got to use the last of my basil pesto with it. 

Did I tell you it was 14 degrees yesterday? Soup weather right there. I treated myself to some fluffy slippers, last shopping day. Early mother's day present (she says with a nod of the head). It's keeping my toes warm in the mornings.

I wrote down a recipe for kale pesto in my scrap recipe book, because as I mentioned, I planted it with good intentions, the same reason I wrote the recipe down, I actually made it and it was good.

I made more soup, a couple days ago, which yes, I am still eating. There's one bowl left for lunch today, which I will be eating with kale pesto and a drizzle of chilli oil.

On Saturday night we had roast lamb, and the kale pesto was AMAZING on the meat. It is very similar to a salsa verde, or green sauce ('verde' being Spanish for green, and 'salsa' for sauce), which is awesome with roasted meats. You should try it.

I'll be making this pesto again for sure! The original recipe did not have pumpkin seeds included, it's up to you if you put them in. I am going to try it with walnuts next time, which are in season at the moment and on our last foraging trip around the place, found a tree to raid!

I keep it in the fridge, and usually add a layer of olive oil to the top. 

Kale pesto

1 cup torn kale, stems removed
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 cup parsley
2 cloves of garlic
2 teaspoons lemon rind
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds

Process to your desired consistency and enjoy!

I've just planted this purple variety in the garden 

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St Mary's Wines and Garden

St Mary's Wines is one of many winerys located along the Coonawarra wine strip near Penola in South Australia. You have to travel a little way off the main road, but it is well worth the detour for the breathtaking dry stone walls and wonderful garden art and sculptures.

The gardens were on display as part of the Australian Open Garden scheme over the weekend. Summer and I tagged along with Mum and her friend Erica to have a look. 

I love going for drives with Mum, she always seems to know when I need a day out.

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On top of the world

I was here back in January when the girls and I hitched a ride in Brett's truck into the forest.

This time the kids stayed home with Brett while I ventured back out there. I picked up Jake on the way. It was good to spend some time with him, it was a bit like old times, just me and him going on drives. Kicking myself now I didn't take some photos of my son while I was out there. 

I was surprised he actually knew which way to go home, passing the Millicent Golf Club and onto the Mt Burr road. I forget, how cluey he actually is. Maybe it's because he might have been one too many times hooning in the forest with his mates. Probably the latter. 

I've been spending a lot more time with him since his mental health diagnosis. I am more or less his carer, making sure he takes his meds and goes to appointments. He is finally getting support from counsellors and organisation like MIND, which is a load off me. 

I wasn't really happy with the photos, as when I got home there was a shadow on the photos, so I had to edit out the shadow. Must have been a bit of sand of something on the mirror. I have hopefully cleaned it and fixed the problem. It's happened once before.

It was amazing to look out over the land, to see town from up high. To see the sandhills on the horizon. To be on par with Mount Muirhead, when usually we are looking up to it from town. My uncle says it's the only landmark he can see when out on the deep ocean in the boat.

It's quite peaceful out here too.

I needed some time out from the kids, and the house. Brett had gotten back from a camping trip the day before and I wasted no time in flying out the door that morning, on my own. Even though I did take my son with me, and I wasn't alone recharging my batteries, my soul felt replenished. I felt the fresh air wash through me and for that morning everything was alright in my world. 

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Easter Sunday

Yesterday was pretty relaxed. It was a little different from the past couple of years when we've usually spent the end of the day down the beach in the Canunda National Park with family.

My nephew was in town though, and he joined us for dinner at home, which was great as he is off to live in Japan. My neice, his cousin is also in Japan for the next few years. Who would have thought that was going to happen ever. We miss them already.

I spent some time pottering about the garden, and the kitchen, lingering far too long where the chocolate was being stored and unsuccessfully resisting the temptation. God damn you caramel popcorn chocolate eggs!

I took the camera outside where Ellie our kitten explored the outdoors, Summer pretended to be a super hero and I basked in some Autumn sunshine.

I finally pulled out my basil plants, all measly four of them, and made my own pesto. My first batch ever! I had them growing in pots with tomatoes, which I pulled out a couple of days ago. 

I've used pumpkin seeds(pepitas) in my pesto. Traditionally pesto has pine nuts in it, I didn't have any of those, I always have pepitas as I use them in porridge or with yogurt.

Basil and Pumpkin Seed pesto

2 handfuls of fresh basil(about a cup)
1 small garlic clove
20 grams pumpkin seeds
15 grams parmesan cheese(just the cheap packet stuff, I not fancy!)
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons of olive oil

Blitz in a mini processor, place in a jar and store in the fridge.

I usually pour a little olive oil layer on top of the pesto.

The basil pots. I pulled out the tomatoes that were growing with the basil. I have replanted Silverbeet in one and Coriander seeds in the other.

One of our beauty parrots

Supergirl rescuing the cat from certain peril

Super girl rescuing a teddy in distress

Supergirl painting herself with her 'sidekick' Peppi the dog, rescuing the cat from a tree, while I made pesto. All the cute!

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